Shurugwi Female Prison’s recent Culture Day celebrations received a significant boost after Smelly Dube, the CEO of River Valley Group of Companies, pledged major support for the facility, including the construction and furnishing of a new early childhood development (ECD) block.
Speaking as the guest of honour during the event, Dube also announced a cash donation and committed to supporting garden rehabilitation and other renovation projects at the prison.
The proposed ECD block is designed to provide a dedicated learning space for the children of inmates, ensuring they have access to early childhood education despite the challenges associated with incarceration.
Dube saod the initiative complements President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda of building an upper-middle-income economy through inclusive development.
Addressing inmates and prison officials, Dube underscored the vital role of culture in the rehabilitation process.
“Culture promotes peaceful co-existence, restores dignity and fosters discipline among inmates,” she said.
“When we nurture cultural expression behind these walls, we are laying foundations for successful reintegration into society.”
The event featured traditional music and dance performances celebrating the diverse cultural backgrounds represented within the prison community.
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Superintendent Wadzanayi Zimunya, the officer-in-charge, stated that cultural activities play a vital role in inmate rehabilitation by promoting unity, understanding, and social cohesion.
“Cultural diversity aids the reformation of inmates and strengthens unity. When people learn to appreciate each other's cultures, rehabilitation becomes more effective,” she added.
This latest intervention strengthens a long-standing partnership between the River Valley Group and the correctional facility.
The company previously constructed a staff hostel at the prison and continues to support income-generating projects by purchasing poultry produced at the institution and engaging its catering team for corporate events.
Prison authorities welcomed the planned ECD block, describing it as a significant step toward improving the welfare of inmates and their children.
Construction is expected to commence in the coming months as part of ongoing efforts to enhance rehabilitation programmes and create a more supportive correctional environment.
